The OfficialUK Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Large, strong and muscular but not heavy, to resemble the wolf as closely as possible.

TEMPERAMENT

Should be exemplary with no hint of aggression

WEIGHT

Adult Males 70 – 110 lbs

Adult Females 55 – 90 lbs

HEIGHT

Adult Males 25” – 33” to the shoulder

Adult Females 24” – 28” to the shoulder

HEAD

Moderate stop. Forehead slightly arched

NOSE

Black, but lighter pigment allowed in winter (snow nose)

EYES

Almond Shaped, yellow, through amber / brown

EARS

Pricked, triangular with slightly rounded at tip not too large or tall (soft ears serious fault)

MOUTH

Jaws strong with well developed teeth especially the canines. Scissor bite. Tight lip

NECK

Well muscled and long

BODY

Fairly long with level top-line and slightly sloping croup. Withers well muscled and pronounced. Well muscled slightly narrow chest with tucked up belly.

FOREQUARTERS

Straight front legs with close fitting elbows. Legs close together

HINDQUARTERS

Powerful and standing parallel. Long clean hocks

FEET

Front feet large, turned slightly outwards, longish with arched toes. Hind feet longish with arched toes

TAIL

Hanging straight down to hock, not beyond. Generally raised in a gentle curve when excited, or on the move

COAT

Thick double coated. Winter and summer coat differ. Straight, short and slightly coarse to touch. A slight ruff around the shoulder and neck.

COAT COLOUR

Black Grey, Wolf Grey and Red Grey always with black overlay and characteristic wolf mask. Solid colours unacceptable.

MOVEMENT

Harmonious light footed, long and loping to resemble the wolf

FAULTS

Incorrect eye colour or shape, Untypical ear carriage, incorrect markings, and irregular tail carriage.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault